Forum Discussion

MentallyRetired's avatar
MentallyRetired
Explorer
Jul 16, 2023

Hot Air Blowing Out From Behind Out Fridge

We have a 2022 Wildwood 27RK with an Everchill 12 volt refrigerator. On a recent trip, I noticed a lot of really warm air coming out from between the fridge and the cabinet. I thought maybe the outside vent was clogged so I searched the back of the camper and even the roof - there is no exterior vent for the fridge! As last weeks temperatures were in the mid 90s and with all this warm air coming inside for the fridge, it was almost impossible to cool the camper. My question is, should there be an exterior vent for the heat from the fridge? If not, does anyone have any advice on how the put one in?
  • ktmrfs's avatar
    ktmrfs
    Explorer II
    Jul 16, 2023
    well the 12V fridge is like the one in your house, or a portable ice maker. No outside vent normally installed, Now if the 12V fridge has an enclosed area around the heat exchanger then one could with a fan vent the hot air outside, but unless you also pulled outside air in, hot (or cold) outside air to replace it would need to come from somewhere.
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Jul 16, 2023
    What does the refer manual show for installation? I suspect that like a home the A/C needs to be adequate for the refer heat. Just wondering if you have a refer issue or an A/C issue.

    If you add a vent you will also be bringing in warm outside air to the RV I would think.
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Jul 16, 2023
    No, it works like a residential fridge and has no venting. Just like your home fridge, it dumps the heat inside the living space.
  • QCMan's avatar
    QCMan
    Nomad III
    Jul 16, 2023
    Sadly, another unintended consequence of getting rid of those awful, dangerous absorption reefers. Will we soon see units coming off the assembly line on solid rubber tires to get rid of damage from cheap tires?
  • prichardson's avatar
    prichardson
    Explorer
    Jul 16, 2023
    This is normal as it also is for when a residential refrigerator is used. That is a downside of using this type of refrigerator. Heat load wise you now have the equivalent of an extra person in the RV all the time.
  • Housted's avatar
    Housted
    Explorer III
    Jul 16, 2023
    Just another reason to convert your gas/electric absorbtion refer to 12 volt compressors. The outside vents remain in place and the heat is sent outside. Convection moves air from the side vent to the roof vent.
    Fans move air when the compressor is running. No heat to the inside of coach. :)

    Housted
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Jul 16, 2023
    Housted wrote:
    Just another reason to convert your gas/electric absorbtion refer to 12 volt compressors. The outside vents remain in place and the heat is sent outside. Convection moves air from the side vent to the roof vent.
    Fans move air when the compressor is running. No heat to the inside of coach. :)

    Housted


    But what if you order it with the all electric.. And at 20 amps That's a heavy chomper of battery power.. a Good Compressor unit needs less than 1/4 that kind of power.
  • Housted's avatar
    Housted
    Explorer III
    Jul 16, 2023
    wa8yxm wrote:
    Housted wrote:
    Just another reason to convert your gas/electric absorbtion refer to 12 volt compressors. The outside vents remain in place and the heat is sent outside. Convection moves air from the side vent to the roof vent.
    Fans move air when the compressor is running. No heat to the inside of coach. :)

    Housted


    But what if you order it with the all electric.. And at 20 amps That's a heavy chomper of battery power.. a Good Compressor unit needs less than 1/4 that kind of power.


    Sorry there are no available 12 volt compressor friges that only draw 5 amps!!! My conversion only draws 14 amps when both compressors are running. They rarely run at the same time.
    They are separately controlled for the refer and freezer.

    Houated

About Technical Issues

Having RV issues? Connect with others who have been in your shoes.24,188 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 17, 2025